Smooth Zest Two Nectarine Tree

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a new variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘Smooth Zest Two’. This new variety, which requires 200 to 250 chilling units of dormancy, is considered to be a nectarine tree of early season maturity, which produces yellow fleshed fruit that are very firm, attractively colored, and suitable for both the local and regional fresh fruit market.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a nectarine tree referred to as a variety of Prunus persica named ‘Smooth Zest Two’ ‘Smooth Zest Two’, which requires 200-250 chilling units of dormancy, produces a high quality, firm clingstone nectarine that matures early in the season.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Smooth Zest Two’ is being released for use in the low to medium chill zones where cultivars such as ‘TexFirst’ (Byrne and Anderson, 2012), ‘Flordaking’ (Andrews et al., 1979), ‘Texking’ (Byrne and Bacon, 2004), and ‘Sunraycer’ (Sherman et al. 1995) are adapted. ‘Smooth Zest Two’ bears crops of clingstone, melting flesh nectarines in early to mid May in the low to medium chill zones of Texas. This new nectarine fruits well in low chill zones that receive 200-250 chilling units.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present peach tree was the result of an ongoing Stone Fruit Breeding Program of Texas A & M University, College Station, Brazos County, Tex. To this end, both controlled and hybrid crosses are made each year in order to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.

‘Smooth Zest Two’ (TX2B261N) [Prunus persica (Batsch) L.] originated in the Stone Fruit Breeding Program, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, located in College Station, Tex. ‘Smooth Zest Two’ was selected from a cross between two nectarine selections: TX1B38N and TX95128N. TX1B38N is an open pollinated seedling from ‘Sunraycer’ (Sherman et al., 1995) and TX95128N is a nectarine of unknown parentage derived from the Florida nectarine germplasm. The seedlings from this cross were planted in a high density selection orchard in 2002 and the selection TX1B261N was chosen as having superior fruit size and quality in 2004.

Two-year and older trees of the selections were subsequently evaluated during the 2006 through 2010 fruit growing seasons in three locations: two medium chill sites (Floresville and College Station, Tex.) and a higher chill location (Fowler, Calif.).

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

‘Smooth Zest Two’ was bud grafted onto virus-free Nemaguard (“The Brooks and Olmo Register of Fruit and Nut Varieties,” 3rd Ed., American Society of Horticultural Science Press, Alexandria, Va., 1997) peach rootstock in June 2004 at the nursery site in Oakdale, Calif. The variety was subsequently planted at the experimental orchard in the central portion of the San Joaquin Valley, near Fowler, Fresno County, Calif. and in two sites in Texas (College Station and Floresville). Fruit from the resulting propagation has been evaluated during the period from 2006 to 2010 fruit seasons. This evaluation clearly demonstrated that the re-propagated trees were true to the characteristics of the original seedling in all observable aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety of nectarine tree is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawings and depicts the plant by the best possible color representation using color photography, wherein:

FIG. 1. Fruit of ‘Smooth Zest Two’ showing apical and distal views as well as fruit dissected in the axial plane to illustrate the flesh and stone characteristics.

FIG. 2. Dried endocarps of ‘Smooth Zest Two’ showing the size, shape and texture. The ruler is demarcated in millimeters.

FIG. 3. ‘Smooth Zest Two’ nectarine showing the external and internal color of the fruit and endocarp.

FIG. 4. The showy flowers of ‘Smooth Zest Two’. The ruler is in millimeters.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing at the experimental orchards in the medium chill zones of Texas. All major color code designations are by reference to the R.H.S. Colour Chart (Third Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Colors are approximate as color depends on horticultural practices such as light level and fertilization rate, among others.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally average to above average as compared to             other common peach and nectarine cultivars ripening in the             early season of maturity.         -   Height.—3.5 m at the end of the 2012 growing season.         -   Width.—3 m at the end of the 2012 growing season.         -   Vigor.—High.         -   Density.—Medium to high.         -   Productivity.—Productive.         -   Shape.—The ‘Smooth Zest Two’ exhibits a generally spreading             growth habit typical of commercial varieties of nectarine             such as ‘TexKing’ and ‘TexRoyal’.         -   Current season growth.—The current season growth for the new             variety was approximately 37 to 43 inches (0.94-0.96 m).         -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular, and considered hardy under             typical conditions found in the low to medium chill zones of             Texas and in the central San Joaquin Valley, California. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Approximately 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) in diameter and 12             inches (30.5 cm) in circumference when measured at a             distance of approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) above the soil             level, at the end of the 2012 growing season on a five-year             old tree.         -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough with numerous             folds of papery scarf-like skin being present.         -   Bark coloration.—Variable, colors present are 189C-D of the             Greyed-Green Group, 200B-D of the Brown Group and 201C-D of             the Grey Group. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium small to medium for the variety.         -   Thickness.—Medium small to medium (about 2.2 cm in diameter             as measured 10 cm from the trunk on a five-year old tree) as             compared to other varieties.         -   Surface texture.—Average and appearing furrowed on wood that             is several years old.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels present. The             lenticels range in size from approximately 3 to 7 mm in             width and were approximately 1 mm in height.         -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially             glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Approximately 10 to 13 mm as measured in             the middle of a current season stem.         -   Color of mature branches.—The predominant colors are 166A             and 174A of the Greyed-Orange Group.         -   Current season shoots.—Color — Green (144A of the             Yellow-Green Group) with a reddish brown coloration on the             exposed surfaces (166A of the Greyed-Orange Group and 179A             and 181A of the Greyed-Red Group). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered moderately large for the species. Leaf             measurements have been taken from vigorous upright current             season growth approximately at mid-shoot.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 150 to 182 mm.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 41 to 47 mm.         -   Leaf thickness.—Less than 1 mm.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate and occasionally wavy and crinkled.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.         -   Leaf upper surface color.—Green varying among 137A-B of the             Green Group and 146A-B of the Yellow-Green Group.         -   Leaf lower surface color.—Green varying among 146A-D of the             Yellow-Green Group.         -   Leaf mid-vein color.—Light yellow green (150D and 154D of             the Yellow-Green Group).         -   Leaf margins.—.         -   Form.—Considered crenulate.         -   Uniformity.—Considered generally uniform.         -   Leaf petioles.—.         -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 11-12 mm.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 2 mm.         -   Color.—Light yellow green (150D and 154D of the Yellow-Green             Group).         -   Leaf glands.—.         -   Size.—Approximately 1 mm in height and less than 1 mm in             width.         -   Number.—Generally 3-4 per leaf.         -   Type.—Globose.         -   Color.—Brown (199A of the Grey-Brown Group).         -   Leaf stipules.—early deciduous.         -   Ratio of wood (leaf) buds to flowering buds.—1 to 2 flower             buds per vegetative bud. -   Flowers:     -   -   Floral buds.—.         -   General.—The floral buds are considered to be medium to             medium large in size, conic in form, and slightly appressed             relative to the bearing shoot.         -   Color.—The bud scales are gray-brown. The buds are             considered hardy under the typical climatic conditions in             the low and medium chill zones of Texas and in central San             Joaquin Valley, California climatic conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 5 to 10 mm.         -   Blooming type.—Considered quite early in relation to other             peach cultivars commonly growing in the low to medium chill             zone of Texas. Date of full bloom was between February 1st             and February 10th during the period between 2008 and 2012             with an average full bloom date of February 5th, 12-14 days             before ‘Flordaking’ and ‘Texking’.         -   Flower type.—Showy.         -   Flower size.—Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately             32 to 40 mm.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Normally 1 to 2 per node.         -   Petal size.—         -   General.—Considered medium large for the species.         -   Width.—Approximately 14 to 15 mm.         -   Length.—Approximately 17 mm.         -   Petal form.—Broadly ovate.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal color.—Light pink when young (Red-Purple Group 62D,             65C-D and 73D).         -   Petal claw.—.         -   Form.—The claw is considered truncate in shape and has a             small to medium size when compared to other varieties.         -   Length.—Approximately 1 mm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1 mm or less.         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered smooth.         -   Petal apex.—Generally — The petal apices appear slightly             domed.         -   Flower pedicel.—.         -   Length.—Considered present, and having an average length of             approximately 2 to 3 mm.         -   Thickness.—Considered average, approximately 1 mm.         -   Color.—A light green (Yellow-Green Group N144D and 145A-B).         -   Floral nectaries.—.         -   Color.—Bright orange (Orange Group 25A-B and N25A-C).         -   Calyx.—.         -   Surface texture.—Generally glabrous.         -   Color.—A brownish red with light green (approximately             Yellow-Green Group 145A-B, Greyed-Red Group 178A-B, 181A and             183A-C).         -   Sepals.—         -   Surface texture.—The surface has a short, fine, wooly and a             gray-colored texture.         -   Size.—Average, and ovate in form.         -   Color.—A brownish red with green (approximately Yellow-Green             Group 145A-B, Greyed-Red Group 178A-B, 181A and 183A-C).         -   Anthers.—.         -   General.—Average in size for the species.         -   Color.—Yellow (approximately Greyed-Orange Group 163B-C).         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and is a yellow             color.         -   Filaments.—Size — Variable in length, approximately 12 to 13             mm, with the filaments slightly shorter or equal to the             pistil.         -   Color.—White (approximately White Group N999D).         -   Pistil.—.         -   General.—Average in size, but slightly longer or equal to             the general anther height.         -   Length.—Approximately 15 to 17 mm, including the ovary.         -   Color.—Considered a very light yellow when young             (approximately Green-Yellow Group 1C-D and Yellow Group             2C-D).         -   Surface texture.—Smooth. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—The present variety of fruit is             described, as it would be found in its firm ripe condition             at full commercial maturity. ‘Smooth Zest Two’ ripens 3-4             days after ‘Flordaking’ and with or 1-2 days before ‘Smooth             Delight One’ and ‘Smooth Delight Two’ in the medium chill             zone.         -   Size.—General — Medium large for the season and considered             uniform.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 63 to 74 mm.         -   Average suture diameter.—Approximately 65 to 76 mm.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 65 to 69 mm.         -   Fruit form.—Generally round to round-ovate in its lateral             aspect. Occasionally the fruit exhibits less symmetry when             comparing the suture height with the line opposite the             suture. The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry when             viewed from the apical aspect, but occasionally exhibits             unequal halves.         -   Fruit suture.—. Generally, the suture appears as a thin line             that extends from the base to the apex, and appears deeper             at the apex, forming a shallow basin at the apical point. No             apparent callusing or stitching exists along the suture             line.         -   Color.—The suture normally is the same color as the             underlying blush (42A-D, 45A-D, 26A-B, 47A-B and 53A-B of             the Red Group).         -   Ventral surface.—Form — Considered uniform.         -   Stem cavity.—Size — Considered medium for the species.         -   Width.—Approximately 22 to 30 mm.         -   Length.—Approximately 25 to 30 mm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 10 to 13 mm.         -   Fruit base.—Generally considered truncate in form, and             uniform.         -   Fruit apex.—Generally considered depressed and usually             recessed below the height of the apical shoulders.         -   Fruit stem.—Generally — Considered medium in length,             approximately 9 to 10 mm Thickness — Approximately 2 to             3 mm. Color — Generally a light green (144B-D and 145B of             the Yellow-Green Group).         -   Fruit skin.—Generally considered medium or average in             thickness. Surface Texture — The variety has no pubescence.             Skin Acidity — Considered neutral. Tenacious to Flesh — Yes             at commercial maturity. Tendency to Crack — Some cracking             observed. Skin Color — Generally — Variable, with             approximately 30-70% of the fruit surface covered with an             attractive medium to dark red blush. Down — Glabrous. Blush             Color — This blush ranges from medium to dark red (42A-D,             45A-D, 26A-B, 47A-B and 53A-B of the Red Group) with many             degrees of shading and blending occurring between these             colorations. Skin Ground Color — This is generally present             in variable percentages covering approximately 35-50% of the             fruit's surface. The skin ground color is yellow with a             small amount of green present (1B-C of the Green-Yellow             Group, 2C-D, 3D, 4C-D, 5C-D and 8B-C of the Yellow Group and             14C-D of the Yellow-Orange Group).         -   Flesh color.—Generally considered variable from light to             medium yellow (11C-D and 12D of the Yellow Group, 15C-D and             16B-D of the Yellow-Orange Group and 155A-D of the White             Group).         -   Stone cavity color.—Generally considered variable from a             yellow to yellow green color.         -   Flesh texture.—Generally, the flesh is considered firm at             commercial maturity.         -   Ripening.—Generally the fruit of the present variety ripens             evenly.         -   Flavor.—Considered sweet with slightly acidic flavor.         -   Aroma.—Pleasant and reasonably abundant.         -   Eating.—Generally considered very good, particularly for an             early ripening variety. -   Stone:     -   -   Attachment.—Clingstone at commercial maturity.         -   Stone size.—Generally considered medium-small to medium             relative to the ratio of stone to fruit size.         -   Length.—Approximately 27 to 29 mm.         -   Width.—Approximately 17 to 20 mm.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 14 to 16 mm.         -   Stone form.—Generally the stone is considered elliptical.         -   Stone base angle.—Considered narrow to medium.         -   Apex shape.—The stone apex is narrow to medium.         -   Stone shape.—The stone shape is generally elongated to very             elongated.         -   Stone surface.—.         -   Surface texture.—Minor surface markings consists of line             grooves, numerous single pits and pit grooves.         -   Ridges.—Numerous fine ridges are present basally, and             converge towards the base of the stone.         -   Ventral edge.—Width — Considered small to medium and having             a dimension of approximately 4 to 6 mm at the mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape — Grooved and having moderately rough             edges.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is medium brown             (approximately 164B and 165C-D of the Greyed-Orange Group             and N199C-D of the Grey-Brown Group). The color of the             inside surface of the endocarp is primarily 164B-C and             165C-D of the Greyed-Orange Group.         -   Tendency to split.—Some splitting observed.         -   Kernel.—The kernel fills the endocarp at harvest. When dried             the shriveled kernels measure approximately 2-3 mm in             thickness, 7-8 mm in width, and 14-15 mm in length. The             colors of the shriveled kernels are variable, ranging from             medium to dark brown (164A and 165A-B of the Greyed-Orange             Group and N199C-D and 200D of the Greyed-Brown Group).         -   Use.—The subject variety, ‘Smooth Zest Two’, is considered             to be a nectarine tree of early-season maturity, which             produces fruit which are firm, attractively colored, and             which are useful for both local and regional fresh fruit             markets.         -   Keeping quality.—Good.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted.         -   Shipping quality.—Average.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing in the low to medium chill zone of Texas, it will be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to the changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, and pest control are to be expected. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Prunus persica tree, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 